TIGER BEETLES OF CONNECTICUT

Species Accounts

Cicindela rufiventris, only recently discovered in Connecticut (by D. Comboni, see Comboni & Schultz 1989), is known from a total of 11 localities within the state. Of 64 specimens databased, the earliest collection record that I have found for this species in CT is 20 June 1986 and the latest is August 1998. This species is unusual for CT tiger beetles because it does not occur in sandy habitats, but rather prefers granitic outcrops or ridges of bare basaltic rock. This habitat type has only recently begun to be surveyed for this species in Connecticut and other populations are likely to be found. Two populations in the north east of CT were recently found: one during the 1996 survey and one during 1997. The nominate subspecies is known from 25 states (NY, CT, RI, MA, IL, IN, OH, PA, NJ, MD, DE, DC, KY, WV, VA, TN, NC, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL, MO) (Boyd 1982) but this report lacks information on the current status of populations outside Connecticut.

Synonymies: Cicindela collusor Casey 1913:39

Conservation status: Not federally listed. State: no longer listed. Proposed Heritage ranking: S3

Diagnosis: Cicindela rufiventris can be easily differentiated from other Connecticut species as the distal segments of the abdomen are red-orange. Larvae: (after Hamilton 1925 and Beatty & Knisley 1982) U-shaped ridge on caudal part of frons with only 2 distinct setae (not 3 or 4); inner hooks with never more than 2 setae on shoulder; numerous white setae on the dorsal aspect pronotum; median hooks with 3 setae; the caudal margins of the 9th abdominal sternum bear 2 groups of 3 setae each; antennae with the basal segment bearing 5 or 6 setae; abdominal sclerites distinct (they are indistinct on C. punctulata).

Biology: According to a study by Beatty & Knisley (1982) adults were active from June through September. Hood (1903) documented that the larvae build burrows in crevices on the faces of ledges and in rocky ground and that the burrows were vertical for a few inches and then horizontal. In Connecticut the adults have been most commonly found during July (table 9).

Distribution in Connecticut:

Material examined: 64 specimens:

USA: Connecticut, Tolland Co., Mansfield:Gurleyville,gravel pit W of Fenton River near jtcn of riv &Gurl.Rd. 4633250mN, 730100mE, 9 July 1997 (coll. D. S. Sikes)- 3; 1 Aug 1997 (coll. D. S. Sikes) -;1; 17 July 1998 (coll. D. S. Sikes) -;1; Mansfield: Chaffeeville, 0.55 mi N of br, 22 Aug 1996 (coll. D. S. Sikes) -- 1; Middlesex Co., Haddam, Beaver Meadow road, gravel hills, 29 Jul 1989 (coll. T. D. Schultz) -- 1; New Haven Co., North Brandford, 1.5mi N of Northford, red rock quarry on Rt 17 nr Coe Rd. 1 Aug 1998 (coll. D. S. Sikes) -;1; Meriden& Berlin, Cathole Mountain 41°33'55"N 72°48'01"W, [46.04N, 6.83.500E] Aug 1998 (coll. J. Viens)- 2; 0.2 mi NE Northford south of Rt. 17. gr, 21 Aug 1988 (coll. T. D. Schultz) -- 6; 0.2 mi ne. Northford, 28 Aug 1988 (coll. T. Schultz) -- 7; West Rock, 20 Jun 1986 (coll. D. J. Comboni) -- 1; West Rock State Park, 18 Jul 1986 (coll. D. J. Comboni) -- 1; West Rock State Park, Judges cave, 17 Jul 1996 (coll. D. & H. Comboni) -- 1; Brandford dump, 4 Jul 1989 (coll. T. Schultz) -- 4; Brandford, S. of Tabor Cemetary, landfil, 19 Aug 1996 (coll. D. S. Sikes) -- 1; Fairfield Co., Bethel, West Redding 45753mN, 6285mE gravel pit off Picket's Ridge Rd. 1 Aug 1998 (coll. D. S. Sikes)- 1; Long Hill, Pequonnock Valley, 22 Jun 1991 (coll. D & H Comboni) -- 2; 13 Jun 1992 (coll. D & H Comboni) -- 1; 25 Jul 1992 (coll. D & H Comboni) -- 1; Long Hill: Pequonnock Valley, 26 Aug 1989 (coll. D. & H. Comboni) -- 2; Long Hill: Trumbull, Pequonnock Valley, 4 Jul 1990 (coll. D & H Comboni) -- 3; Pequonnock Valley, Trumbull, 2 Aug 1989 (coll. T. Schultz) -- 1; Trumbull, Pequonnock Valley (coll. T. Schultz) -- 1; Trumbull, Pequonnock Valley, 2 mi NW jc, 2 Jul 1989 (coll. T. D. Schultz) -- 1; West Redding, Gravel Pits, 7 Jul 1990 (coll. D. J. Comboni) -- 1; Long Hill, Pequonnock Valley, 1 Jul 1989 (coll. D & H Comboni) -- 15; Long Hill: Pequonnock Valley, 18 Jul 1996 (coll. D. Sikes & D. Comboni) -; 4; New LondonCo. Ledyard-Gayles Ferry [rt12nr ThamesRiv.] 25 Aug 1997 (coll. R.N. Ferreira)- 1;

Collection events (n=20) of Cicindela rufiventris over time 1850-1998. Data lumped into five-year intervals.